Blind spot detection and alert

ABSTRACT

Blind spot detection and alert systems, devices, and methods are provided herein. An example device includes an optical surface having a plurality of indicator elements; and a controller having a processor and a memory for storing instructions, the processor executing the instructions to control a visual attribute of at least a portion of the plurality of indicator elements displayed on the optical surface to indicate a second vehicle being in a blind-spot of a first vehicle for a period of time.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to systems, devises, and methods thatdetect vehicle-to-vehicle proximity and provide multi-faceted displaysthat provide situational or contextual information to a driver.

BACKGROUND

Accidents or other deleterious activities can occur when one vehicle ispresent in the blind spot of another adjacent vehicle. A safety featurein vehicles includes an indicator that informs a driver if anothervehicle is located in the driver vehicle's blind spot. This informationis very useful to the driver and provides binary information; a vehicleis in the blind spot or not. Vehicles can persist in the blind spot forvarying periods of time. Relative motion of adjacent vehicles can resultin vehicles advancing and/or retreating relative to a blind spot of avehicle. This relative motion can complicate a driver's decision-makingprocess when determining if an action, such as a lane merge shouldoccur.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanyingdrawings. The use of the same reference numerals may indicate similar oridentical items. Various embodiments may utilize elements and/orcomponents other than those illustrated in the drawings, and someelements and/or components may not be present in various embodiments.Elements and/or components in the figures are not necessarily drawn toscale. Throughout this disclosure, depending on the context, singularand plural terminology may be used interchangeably.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative architecture in which techniques andstructures for providing the systems and methods disclosed herein may beimplemented.

FIG. 2 schematically depicts a use case of the present disclosure, alongwith another multi-faceted display.

FIG. 3 schematically depicts another use case of the present disclosure,along with another example multi-faceted display.

FIGS. 4 and 5 collectively depict use of a multi-faceted display toprovide situational information regarding how long a vehicle has been inthe blind spot of another vehicle.

FIGS. 6 and 7 each schematically illustrate the use of audible and/ortactile feedback in combination with a multi-faceted display.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an example method of the present disclosurethat includes veiling glare detection and remediation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overview

The systems, devices, and methods disclosed herein are configured todetect vehicle-to-vehicle activity and/or proximity and providesituational or contextual information to a driver related to suchactivity. These systems, devices, and methods increase overall driversituational awareness and reduce likely collisions that may occur in theabsence of such situational or contextual information.

In one example embodiment, a multi-faceted display of situationalinformation regarding a first location, such as blind spot, or otherboundary zones around a vehicle of interest is facilitated. This caninclude one or more vehicles being in a blind spot of a vehicle ofinterest. In various embodiments, the multi-faceted display includes adisplay of blind spot situational or contextual information. Themulti-faceted display can be incorporated into an optical surface. Forexample, a multi-faceted display could be incorporated into a side viewmirror, a rearview mirror, a head's up display (HUD), or a human-machineinterface (HMI) such as an infotainment center.

Generally, a first vehicle comprises one or more sensors that areconfigured to determine the presence of an adjacent vehicle in blindspot of the first vehicle. Moreover, some embodiments include sensorsthat are capable of providing signals or output that can be analyzed todetermine situational or contextual information. Examples of situationalor contextual information include whether the adjacent vehicle isadvancing into or retreating from a blind spot of the first vehicle, howlong the adjacent vehicle has been present in the blind spot, or othersimilar situational or contextual information. Thus, while the binarydetermination of an adjacent vehicle being in the blind spot can bedetermined and displayed to the driver in a visual format, additionalsituational or contextual information can also be displayed, thuscreating a multi-faceted display.

In some embodiments, a multi-faceted display of the present disclosurecan include a plurality of indicators, where each indicator provides atleast one aspect of blind spot situational or contextual information.Collectively, the plurality of indicators provide the driver with arobust understanding of activity occurring in their blind spots. In someembodiments, the plurality of indicators includes at least one physicalindicator such as light emitting elements. In some embodiments, theplurality of indicators includes at least one graphical user interfaceor virtual elements displayed or projected onto an optical surface. Inother embodiments, the plurality of visual indicators includecombinations of both physical and/or virtual elements.

According to some embodiments, some of the indicators used in a displaycan have at least one visual attribute adjusted on a dynamic orreal-time basis in response to the blind spot situational or contextualinformation determined. For example, an indicator can have a selectivelyadjustable hue that changes in response to how long an adjacent vehiclehas been in a blind spot of a first vehicle.

Illustrative Embodiments

Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative architecture100 in which techniques and structures of the present disclosure may beimplemented. The illustrative architecture 100 may include a firstvehicle 102, a second vehicle 104, a service provider 106, and a network108. Additional vehicles can be present in some embodiments.

Components of the architecture 100, such as the first vehicle 102, thesecond vehicle 104, and the service provider 106 may communicate withone another over a network 108. The network 108 may include any one or acombination of multiple different types of networks, such as cablenetworks, the Internet, wireless networks, and other private and/orpublic networks. In some instances, the network 108 may includecellular, Wi-Fi, or Wi-Fi direct. In the context of the first vehicle102 and the second vehicle 104, the network 108 could include localvehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications. In another example, the firstvehicle 102 and/or the second vehicle 104 can communicate indirectlyusing vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I or V2X) communications, which couldbe mediated through the service provider 106. For example, the serviceprovider 106 could include a roadside infrastructure device thatfacilitates V2I or V2X communications. Thus, the first vehicle 102and/or the second vehicle 104 could be a connected vehicle using anyV2V, V2I, and/or V2X communication protocol. In some embodiments, avehicle of interest, such as the first vehicle 102 can be configured toprovide blind spot situational information to its driver according tothe present disclosure, while the second vehicle 104 is a legacy ornon-connected vehicle. Also, while embodiments consider determining thepresence of a vehicle in the blind spot of another vehicle, the presentdisclosure is not so limited, but could be adapted to determine theblind spot situational information relative to other objects such asmotorcycles, pedestrians, and/or bicycles that may also be present inthe blind spot of a vehicle. In yet other embodiments, the first vehicle102 and the second vehicle 104 are configured similarly to one another.

In general, the vehicle 102 can comprise any vehicle that may have anoptical surface (such as a side view mirror 114) for providing amulti-faceted display (see FIGS. 2-7), a sensor assembly 116, acontroller 118, and a communications interface 120 (an optional featurefor some embodiments). The optical surface could include a side viewmirror, a rearview mirror, a head's up display (HUD), or a human-machineinterface (HMI) such as an infotainment center. For purposes of brevityand clarity, many, if not all examples provided herein will referencethe side view mirror 114. Indeed, any of the other optical surfacesdisclosed above can likewise be utilized in accordance with the presentdisclosure. In one specific embodiment, the optical surface couldinclude a specific purpose display that is integrated or otherwiseassociated with an A-pillar of a vehicle. In general, the A-pillar is astructural member of the vehicle that is in the leftmost view of thedriver and exists between the front windshield and the driver's sidewindow.

The sensor assembly 116 can include one or more sensors that areconfigured to directly or indirectly provide signals that can areindicative of a distance between a vehicle of interest, such as thefirst vehicle 102 and an adjacent vehicle, such as the second vehicle104. In some embodiments, the one or more sensors can be specificallydirected to sensing the presence of objects, such as the second vehicle104, in a blind spot 122 of the first vehicle 102. The shape and size ofthe blind spot 122 may vary with vehicle design and driver positionwithin the vehicle.

Thus, in some embodiments, the one or more sensors may sense thepresence of objects in a zone of concern 124 that includes areas bothahead, behind, and adjacent to the first vehicle 102. Thus, one or moresensors can sense objects behind but approaching the first vehicle 102,as well as objects adjacent to the first vehicle 102. The one or moresensors can sense objects ahead of the first vehicle 102. To be sure,the relativeness of whether an object is ahead or behind the firstvehicle 102 can be determined with respect to the blind spot 122 or zoneof concern 124. In various embodiments, the zone of concern 124 includesthe blind spot 122. Example sensors can include, but are not limited to,radar, LIDAR, ultrasonic, time-of-flight (TOF), camera, and combinationsor permutations thereof. In one embodiment, the sensor assembly 116includes any one or combination of sensors positioned across variousparts of the first vehicle 102. For example, radar and side view camerafeeds can be synthesized by the controller 118 to create the informationnecessary to control the multi-faceted displays disclosed herein.

In some embodiments, the controller 118 may comprise a processor 126 andmemory 128. The memory 128 stores instructions that are executed by theprocessor 126 to perform aspects of blind spot detection, situationaland/or contextual information analysis, and/or multi-faceted visualdepiction as disclosed throughout. When referring to operations executedby the controller 118 it will be understood that this includes theexecution of instructions by the processor 126.

According to some embodiments, the controller 118 can obtain output fromthe sensor assembly 116 and determine if one or more objects are withinthe zone of concern 124 and/or within the blind spot 122 of the firstvehicle 102. Generally described, either or both of the zone of concern124 and/or within the blind spot 122 can be referred to generally as afirst location. Some embodiments of the present disclosure may includedetermining the presence of the second vehicle 104 in a first location(zone of concern 124 and/or the blind spot 122) in proximity to thefirst vehicle 102.

For example, if the sensor assembly 116 implements proximity sensors,the controller 118 can obtain this sensor output and analyze the same todetermine if the object(s) and the first vehicle 102 are proximatelylocated relative to one another such that the object is near or withinthe blind spot 122 of the first vehicle 102. Examples of proximity datacould include ultrasonic sensor output, LIDAR, radar, infrared, or othersimilar data that are indicative of a relative distance between twoobjects. The controller 118 can establish virtual geographicalboundaries, such as geofences that define the size and shape of the zoneof concern 124 and/or the blind spot 122. The proximity data mayindicate that the first vehicle 102 and/or one or more objects areinside (partially or entirely) one or both of these virtual geographicalboundaries. As these data are obtained over a period of time, thecontroller 118 can determine how long the adjacent object (such as thesecond vehicle 104) has been in the zone of concern 124 and/or the blindspot 122. In general, proximity refers to a distance between the firstvehicle 102 and the second vehicle 104. The proximity can also refer toa distance the second vehicle 104 and the zone of concern 124 and/or theblind spot 122.

In another example, the sensor assembly 116 can utilizelocation/position data of the first vehicle 102 and/or adjacent objectsto determine if one or more objects are within the zone of concern 124and/or the blind spot 122. For example, global positioning system (GPS)data can be obtained from an associated vehicle sub-system of the firstvehicle 102. GPS data for an adjacent object can also be processed bythe controller 118 to determine if the one or more objects are within avirtual geographical boundary or are within a specified thresholddistance from the first vehicle 102.

In one embodiment, GPS location/position data of the second vehicle 104can be obtained directly from the second vehicle 104 or from the serviceprovider 106. In various embodiments, each vehicle or object in a givenarea may report its location/position data to the service provider 106,which in turn relays the same (periodically or upon request) to thefirst vehicle 102 or adjacent objects.

Distance measurements (e.g., proximity values) can include both lateraland longitudinal components. Thus, the distance between the firstvehicle 102 and an object can be determined in two directions. In oneaxis, a lateral distance D1 can be determined, which represents how faraway the first vehicle 102 is to the adjacent object such as the secondvehicle 104. This data can be used to determine if an adjacent object isin a position that would prevent the first vehicle 102 from merginglaterally. In the longitudinal axis distance D2, the proximity/distancemeasurement represents how far ahead or behind the adjacent object isrelative to the first vehicle 102.

In another example embodiment, if the adjacent object is the secondvehicle 104, the first vehicle 102 and the second vehicle 104 mayexchange location/position data with one another using V2Vcommunications, or alternatively V2I or V2X communications through theservice provider 106.

In addition to determining relative positions of the first vehicle 102and one or more adjacent objects, the controller 118 can obtain ordetermine velocity data for both the first vehicle 102 and one or moreadjacent objects. In an example embodiment, a velocity of the firstvehicle 102 is determined by the controller 118 from an associatedvehicle sub-system. The controller 118 can obtain velocity data for thesecond vehicle 104 from V2V communications. In another exampleembodiment, the controller 118 can calculate velocity data for thesecond vehicle 104 from output of the sensor assembly 116 obtained overa period of time. Relative velocity can be used by the controller 118 todetermine if the second vehicle 104 is advancing or retreating relativeto the zone of concern 124 and/or the blind spot 122.

Used in combination, the controller 118 can utilize both the relativepositions and/or distance between the first vehicle 102 and the secondvehicle 104, along with the relative velocities to provide the driverwith blind spot situational information. In some embodiments, thecontroller 118 can provide this blind spot situational informationthrough a multifaceted informational display provided on the side viewmirror 114. Each of the following descriptions of FIGS. 2-7 mayreference elements of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an example scenario where the secondvehicle 104 is within both the zone of concern 124 and, specificallywithin the blind spot 122 of the first vehicle 102. In this example, anexample multifaceted informational display 200 is provided on the sideview mirror 114. In this example, the multifaceted informational display200 includes a first indicator element 202. The first indicator element202 can include a light emitting member, such an LED. The firstindicator element 202 can be controlled by the controller 118 toindicate the presence of the second vehicle 104 in the blind spot 122 ofthe first vehicle 102 based on sensor data.

In some embodiments, the controller 118 can selectively adjust a hue orother visual attribute of the first indicator element 202 to indicate aduration of the period of time that the second vehicle 104 has been inthe blind spot 122 of the first vehicle 102. In one embodiment, thecontroller 118 can selectively adjust a contrast, a color/hue, or anintensity (luminousness) of the first indicator element 202 as theduration increases. For example, the hue of the first indicator element202 is selected as a first hue and contrast level when the duration iszero to thirty seconds. The hue can be selectively changed by thecontroller 118 to a second hue and contrast level when the duration isthirty seconds to one minute. Other example ranges of time (bothrelative to duration and number) can also be utilized. In one specificexample, the controller 118 can darken the first indicator element 202as the duration of time of the second vehicle 104 within the blind spot122 of the first vehicle 102 increases. Thus, the contrast and/or thehue of the first indicator element may be changed based on the durationof the period of time for which the second vehicle is present in thezone of concern 124 and/or the blind spot 122.

In one example embodiment, a hue of the first indicator element 202 canbe changed based on the lateral distance D1 determined between the firstvehicle 102 and the second vehicle 104. For example, if the secondvehicle 104 begins to drift into the lane of the first vehicle 102, thecontroller 118 may change a hue of the first indicator element 202 froma green tone to a red tone.

FIGS. 4 and 5 collectively illustrate a contrast adjustment process asdisclosed above. For example, in FIG. 4, the first indicator element 202has a first contrast level. In FIG. 5, the first indicator element 202has a second contrast level that is darker than the first contrastlevel. To be sure, the shape and size of the indicator element in anyspecific embodiment disclosed herein can be selected for purposes ofaesthetics or personal preference. For example, a driver could adjust asize or location of the indicator element(s) of a display of the presentdisclosure based on their personal preferences. In one embodiment, thesize or shape of the indicator element(s) could vary depending on theeyesight of the driver. Also, rather than providing changes in hue orcontrast, an indicator element could be otherwise controlled by thecontroller 118 to indicate situational information, such as durationwithin a blind spot. In one example, the second vehicle 104 can enterthe blind spot of the first vehicle 102 when the second vehicle 104merges into a lane 201 that is adjacent to a lane 203 in which the firstvehicle is located.

For example, a size of the first indicator element 202 may increase asan object within the blind spot of the first vehicle 102 persists. Inanother example, rather than (or in addition to) shape, hue, or contrastchange, the controller 118 may set a blink rate for an indicatorelement. The period between blinks may vary according to the duration ofthe object within the blind spot or in response to how closely theobject is determined laterally to the first vehicle 102.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the multifaceted informational display 200 cancomprise a second indicator element 204 and a third indicator element206. The second indicator element 204 can be disposed above the firstindicator element 202, while the third indicator element 206 can bedisposed below the first indicator element 202. The controller 118 canbe configured to activate either or both of the second indicator element204 and/or the third indicator element 206 using data such as relativevehicle velocities.

In this example, the second vehicle 104 is approaching and overtakingthe first vehicle 102. Due to the calculation of relative velocities,the controller 118 determines that the second vehicle 104 is travelingat a speed that is greater than that of the first vehicle 102. Thus, thesecond vehicle 104 is advancing relative to the blind spot 122 of thefirst vehicle 102. The second indicator element 204 can be activated bythe controller 118. In some embodiments, the second indicator element204 has a hue that is unique relative to either the first indicatorelement 202 or the third indicator element 206. For example, the secondindicator element 204 can be green, whereas the third indicator element206 may be red.

When the second indicator element 204 is activated by the controller118, the driver is provided with situational information. Thesituational information may indicate to the driver of the first vehicle102 that the second vehicle 104 may eventually move out of the blindspot 122 and may become visible. The situational information may alsoindicate to the driver of the first vehicle 102 that the second vehicle104 is likely to be out the zone of concern 124, which would allow forthe driver of the first vehicle 102 to merge into the adjacent lane inwhich the second vehicle 104 is currently present. In combination, thefirst indicator element 202 can provide the driver of the first vehicle102 with an indication of if the second vehicle 104 is present in theblind spot 122, as well as how long the second vehicle 104 has beenpresent in the blind spot 122. At the same time, the second indicatorelement 204 provides the driver with information as to whether thesecond vehicle 104 is advancing or retreating from the blind spot 122.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an example scenario where the secondvehicle 104 is within both the zone of concern 124 and, specificallywithin the blind spot 122 of the first vehicle 102. FIG. 3 alsoillustrates an example multifaceted informational display 300 providedon the side view mirror 114. In this example, the multifacetedinformational display 300 includes a first indicator element 302, asecond indicator element 304, and a third indicator element 306. To besure, the second and third indicator elements 302 and 304 providesimilar functionalities as those described above with respect to FIG. 2,namely an indication of relative speed between the first vehicle 102 andthe second vehicle 104. In contrast with the embodiment of FIG. 2, thefirst indicator element 302 comprises a plurality of segments 308A-308D.The first indicator element 302 can be controlled by the controller 118to provide situational information as to where the second vehicle 104 isin relation to the first vehicle 102. Thus, rather than successivelydarkening or changing a hue or other visual attribute of the firstindicator element 302, the controller 118 can illuminate a portion orall of the plurality of segments 308A-308D to indicate a position of thesecond vehicle 104 relative to the first vehicle 102 (and specificallyin some instances relative to the blind spot 122). The number ofsegments 308A-308D illuminated by the controller 118 can be based on arelative position of the second vehicle 104 to the blind spot 122. Whenthe second vehicle 104 is entering or exiting the blind spot 122 (eitherfrom above or below), only a portion of the plurality of segments 308may be illuminated. For example, if the second vehicle 104 is retreatingaway from the blind spot 122, only segments 308A and 308B may beilluminated. As the first vehicle 104 advances away, segment 308B may bedeactivated, as well as segment 308A when the second vehicle 104 iscompletely outside the blind spot 122.

Conversely, additional segments can be illuminated if the second vehicle104 were determined by the controller 118 to be advancing into the blindspot 122. These features can be combined with hue/color selectionfeatures disclosed above. Thus, the controller 118 can selectivelyadjust a hue of illuminated ones of the segments in response to how longthe second vehicle 102 has been in position within the blind spot 122.In this example, a hue of segments 308A and 308B may be changed overtime if the second vehicle 104 persists in its relative position to thefirst vehicle 102 rather than retreating.

In one example, color of the various indicator elements can be darkenedto correlate to an amount of time an adjacent vehicle has spent in theblind spot of another vehicle. Using an example provided above, radarand side view camera feeds can be synthesized by the controller 118 tocreate the information necessary to control the multifacetedinformational display 300.

In some embodiments, the controller 118 can determine relative speed andposition of adjacent vehicles to raise or lower an intensity of a lanechange warning systems (tones or wheel vibrations). When a turn signalis indicated, the intelligent blind spot information plus varying thedegrees of lane changing warnings can provide the driver with moresituational awareness and confidence about their desired maneuvers.Referring to FIG. 6, when the controller 118 determines that the driverhas activated a turn signal of the first vehicle 102, the controller 118can combine this information with the relative position and speed of anyadjacent vehicles, such as the second vehicle 104 to determine if aplurality of warnings can be utilized in combination with a multifacetedinformational display 600. In this example, both a tone 602 and steeringwheel vibration 604 are utilized. These features may be utilizedcollectively when the second vehicle 104 is advancing relative to theblind spot 122. Conversely, as illustrated in FIG. 7, only a steeringwheel vibration 702 is used in combination with a multifacetedinformational display 700. In this example, the second vehicle 104 isretreating relative to the blind spot 122.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an example method of the present disclosure.The method can include a step 802 of receiving data from sensor assemblysuch as a radar or image sensor of a first vehicle that are indicativeof the presence of the second vehicle in a first location. To be sure,the first location could include a blind spot of the first vehicle, orany other specified area around the first vehicle. The proximity betweenthe first and second vehicles can be determined based on lateral and/orlongitudinal distance between the first and second vehicles.

The method includes a step 804 of determining, by one or more processorsof a first vehicle, the presence of a second vehicle in a first locationin proximity to the first vehicle based on the data received. As notedthroughout, this can include using proximity and/or position/locationsensors to determine presence of the second vehicle in the firstlocation.

The method can also include a step 806 of controlling a visual attributeof a first indicator element displayed on an optical surface of thefirst vehicle based on the second vehicle being in at the first locationfor a period of time. In one embodiment, a contrast or the hue of thefirst indicator element is changed based on a duration of the period oftime.

In some embodiments, the visual attribute of a second indicator elementcan be adjusted to indicate if the second vehicle is advancing into orretreating from the first location. Thus, in some embodiments, amulti-faceted visual display can be provided that delivers to a driversituational information regarding blind spot activity.

In various embodiments, the method can include a step 808 of determininga relative distance between the second vehicle and the first vehicle, aswell as a relative velocity between the first vehicle and the secondvehicle. Next, the method can include a step 810 of selectivelyadjusting a volume of an audible tone or an intensity of a vibrationproduced by a steering wheel of the first vehicle in response to therelative distance or the relative velocity. Thus, in addition toproviding a multi-faceted visual display, additional audible or tactilefeedback can be provided to a driver. To be sure, steps 808 and 810 areoptional in this embodiment.

In the above disclosure, reference has been made to the accompanyingdrawings, which form a part hereof, which illustrate specificimplementations in which the present disclosure may be practiced. It isunderstood that other implementations may be utilized, and structuralchanges may be made without departing from the scope of the presentdisclosure. References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” “an example embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodimentdescribed may include a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include theparticular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrasesare not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic is described inconnection with an embodiment, one skilled in the art will recognizesuch feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with otherembodiments whether or not explicitly described.

Implementations of the systems, apparatuses, devices, and methodsdisclosed herein may comprise or utilize a special purpose orgeneral-purpose computer including computer hardware, such as, forexample, one or more processors and system memory, as discussed herein.Implementations within the scope of the present disclosure may alsoinclude physical and other computer-readable media for carrying orstoring computer-executable instructions and/or data structures. Suchcomputer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessedby a general purpose or special purpose computer system.Computer-readable media that stores computer-executable instructions iscomputer storage media (devices). Computer-readable media that carriescomputer-executable instructions is transmission media. Thus, by way ofexample, and not limitation, implementations of the present disclosurecan comprise at least two distinctly different kinds ofcomputer-readable media: computer storage media (devices) andtransmission media.

Computer storage media (devices) includes RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM,solid state drives (SSDs) (e.g., based on RAM), flash memory,phase-change memory (PCM), other types of memory, other optical diskstorage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or anyother medium which can be used to store desired program code means inthe form of computer-executable instructions or data structures andwhich can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer.

An implementation of the devices, systems, and methods disclosed hereinmay communicate over a computer network. A “network” is defined as oneor more data links that enable the transport of electronic data betweencomputer systems and/or modules and/or other electronic devices. Wheninformation is transferred or provided over a network or anothercommunications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or anycombination of hardwired or wireless) to a computer, the computerproperly views the connection as a transmission medium. Transmissionmedia can include a network and/or data links, which can be used tocarry desired program code means in the form of computer-executableinstructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a generalpurpose or special purpose computer. Combinations of the above shouldalso be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

Computer-executable instructions comprise, for example, instructions anddata which, when executed at a processor, cause a general purposecomputer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing deviceto perform a certain function or group of functions. Thecomputer-executable instructions may be, for example, binaries,intermediate format instructions such as assembly language, or evensource code. Although the subject matter has been described in languagespecific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to beunderstood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the described features or acts described above.Rather, the described features and acts are disclosed as example formsof implementing the claims.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure maybe practiced in network computing environments with many types ofcomputer system configurations, including in-dash vehicle computers,personal computers, desktop computers, laptop computers, messageprocessors, handheld devices, multi-processor systems,microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs,minicomputers, mainframe computers, mobile telephones, PDAs, tablets,pagers, routers, switches, various storage devices, and the like. Thedisclosure may also be practiced in distributed system environmentswhere local and remote computer systems, which are linked (either byhardwired data links, wireless data links, or by any combination ofhardwired and wireless data links) through a network, both performtasks. In a distributed system environment, program modules may belocated in both the local and remote memory storage devices.

Further, where appropriate, the functions described herein can beperformed in one or more of hardware, software, firmware, digitalcomponents, or analog components. For example, one or more applicationspecific integrated circuits (ASICs) can be programmed to carry out oneor more of the systems and procedures described herein. Certain termsare used throughout the description and claims refer to particularsystem components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, componentsmay be referred to by different names. This document does not intend todistinguish between components that differ in name, but not function.

It should be noted that the sensor embodiments discussed above maycomprise computer hardware, software, firmware, or any combinationthereof to perform at least a portion of their functions. For example, asensor may include computer code configured to be executed in one ormore processors and may include hardware logic/electrical circuitrycontrolled by the computer code. These example devices are providedherein for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting.Embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in furthertypes of devices, as would be known to persons skilled in the relevantart(s).

At least some embodiments of the present disclosure have been directedto computer program products comprising such logic (e.g., in the form ofsoftware) stored on any computer-usable medium. Such software, whenexecuted in one or more data processing devices, causes a device tooperate as described herein.

While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been describedabove, it should be understood that they have been presented by way ofexample only, and not limitation. It will be apparent to persons skilledin the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure shouldnot be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments butshould be defined only in accordance with the following claims and theirequivalents. The foregoing description has been presented for thepurposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise formdisclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light ofthe above teaching. Further, it should be noted that any or all of theaforementioned alternate implementations may be used in any combinationdesired to form additional hybrid implementations of the presentdisclosure. For example, any of the functionality described with respectto a particular device or component may be performed by another deviceor component. Further, while specific device characteristics have beendescribed, embodiments of the disclosure may relate to numerous otherdevice characteristics. Further, although embodiments have beendescribed in language specific to structural features and/ormethodological acts, it is to be understood that the disclosure is notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather,the specific features and acts are disclosed as illustrative forms ofimplementing the embodiments. Conditional language, such as, amongothers, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically statedotherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, isgenerally intended to convey that certain embodiments could include,while other embodiments may not include, certain features, elements,and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intendedto imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way requiredfor one or more embodiments.

1. A method, comprising: determining, by one or more processors of afirst vehicle, a presence of a second vehicle in a first location inproximity to the first vehicle; and controlling a visual attribute of afirst indicator element displayed on an optical surface of the firstvehicle based on the second vehicle being at the first location for aperiod of time, wherein the first indicator element comprises aplurality of segments that are individually controllable to indicate aspeed of travel of the second vehicle.
 2. The method according to claim1, wherein controlling the visual attribute includes selectivelyadjusting a contrast or a hue of the first indicator element.
 3. Themethod according to claim 2, further wherein the contrast or the hue ofthe first indicator element is changed based on a duration of the periodof time.
 4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:determining that a turn signal of the first vehicle is activated; andvibrate a steering wheel of the first vehicle or output an audible toneby a sound sub-assembly of the first vehicle based on whether the secondvehicle is advancing or retreating.
 5. The method according to claim 4,further comprising controlling a visual attribute of a second indicatorelement to indicate if the second vehicle is advancing into orretreating from the first location.
 6. The method according to claim 1,wherein the presence of the second vehicle in the first location of thefirst vehicle is determined from vehicle-to-vehicle messages exchangedbetween the first vehicle and the second vehicle.
 7. (canceled)
 8. Themethod according to claim 1, further comprising receiving data from aradar or image sensor of the first vehicle that are indicative of thepresence of the second vehicle.
 9. The method according to claim 1,further comprising: determining a relative distance between the secondvehicle and the first vehicle, as well as a relative velocity betweenthe first vehicle and the second vehicle; and selectively adjusting avolume of an audible tone or an intensity of a vibration produced by asteering wheel of the first vehicle in response to the relative distanceor the relative velocity.
 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein acontrast or a hue of the first indicator element is changed based on alateral distance determined between the first vehicle and the secondvehicle.
 11. A system, comprising: a processor; and a memory for storinginstructions, the processor executing the instructions to: determine, byone or more processors of a first vehicle, a presence of a secondvehicle in a first location in proximity to the first vehicle; andcontrol a visual attribute of a first indicator element displayed on anoptical surface of the first vehicle based on the second vehicle beingat the first location for a period of time, wherein the first indicatorelement comprises a plurality of segments that are individuallycontrollable to indicate a speed of travel of the second vehicle. 12.The system according to claim 11, wherein the processor determines thepresence of the second vehicle from images obtained by an image sensorof the first vehicle.
 13. The system according to claim 11, wherein theprocessor determines the presence of the second vehicle from proximitysignals obtained by a proximity sensor of the first vehicle.
 14. Thesystem according to claim 11, wherein the optical surface comprises aside-view mirror of the first vehicle.
 15. The system according to claim14, wherein the a side-view mirror comprises a plurality of indicatorelements that include the first indicator element, a second firstindicator element that indicates if the second vehicle is advancing intoor retreating from the first location.
 16. A device, comprising: anoptical surface having a plurality of indicator elements; and acontroller comprising a processor and a memory for storing instructions,the processor executing the instructions to control a visual attributeof at least a portion of the plurality of indicator elements displayedon the optical surface to indicate a second vehicle being in ablind-spot of a first vehicle for a period of time, wherein a firstindicator element comprises a plurality of segments, wherein thecontroller selectively illuminates the plurality of segments in responseto a velocity of the second vehicle relative to the first vehicle. 17.The device according to claim 16, wherein the plurality of indicatorelements comprises a first indicator element that indicates when thesecond vehicle being is in the blind-spot of a first vehicle, wherein anattribute of the first indicator element varies according to a durationof the period of time.
 18. (canceled)
 19. The device according to claim16, wherein the plurality of indicator elements comprises a secondindicator element that indicates when the second vehicle is advancingrelative to the blind-spot and a third indicator element that indicateswhen the second vehicle is retreating relative to the blind-spot. 20.The device according to claim 16, wherein the controller is furtherconfigured to: determine actuation of a turn signal; determine adistance between the first vehicle and the second vehicle; and perform aremediating action when the distance between the first vehicle and thesecond vehicle is lower than a threshold distance or when the secondvehicle is advancing relative to the blind-spot.